Travel & Outdoors

Top Fall Fun Runs In The Philly Area

Tough Mudder, tough scmudder. Extreme races might be all the rage, but what about those of us who aren’t looking to get electrocuted or drown in a sludge pool during our Saturday morning run? If you’d rather dress up like a superhero than try to actually be one, these are the craziest, zaniest, most fun races to hit the Philly area this fall. – Chelsea Karnash

Don your skivvies and “stroll” through a huge inflatable colon during this new 5K, the sister run to February’s Cupid’s Undie Run. Proceeds support colon cancer screening at the Penn’s Abramson Cancer Center in addition to national prevention, research and patient support programs at the Colon Cancer Alliance, and participants get a free pair of boxers.

Run (or walk) in the shoes of legendary boxers like Joe Frazier during Philly’s Boxers’ Trail 5K. The 3.8-mile jaunt covers the aptly-named “Boxers Trail,” a former boxers’ training loop, in the city’s Fairmount Park. Proceeds go towards the Mander Recreation Center and East Fairmount Park trail maintenance. Bonus: This race offers a later start than most, so you can get the rest you need before hitting the trail.

Don’t bother bringing your iPod along to this race — all the music you need will be pumping through the park during the run, which starts and ends near World Café and travels through gorgeous Penn Park. Funds raised by the race will go to WXPN Musicians on Call, a charity that has brought the soothing sounds of music to more than 50,000 patients and their families throughout the Philly region.

Prost! This Oktoberfest race in Bethlehem features plenty of German/Bavarian fun, including edible lebkuchen heart medals and official Yuengling beer steins for all finishers. Stick around after you sweat for a tent with live music (polka, anyone?), dancing, German treats and, of course, beer.

Well, this is exciting: The City of BroLo is getting the first-ever Color Run Night! Like the daytime version, guests should rock all-white clothing and be prepared to be doused in color. Only this time, those colors will glow in the dark! Show up early for pre-run festivities, and expect another massive party at the end of the race, complete with more colorful fun.

Things could get pretty hairy at Jersey’s new mustache run. This 4.98-mile race benefits Movember, and crazy facial coiffures – whether real or faux — are encouraged. Don’t forget to stick around for the after party; all runners get a free beer, and there will be a contest for the best mustache.